Rheneas
| Rheneas | |
|---|---|
| Thomas & Friends character | |
| File:Rheneas 1995.jpg Rheneas in the television series. | |
| First appearance | Four Little Engines (1955) |
| Created by | Rev. W. Awdry |
| Voiced by | UK/US Ben Small (2012–2015) John Hasler (2016-present) |
| Information | |
| Gender | Male |
Search Rheneas on Amazon.
Rheneas (/rəneɪ.əs/, rə-NAY-əs) is a fictional narrow gauge tank locomotive from the Railway Series by the Reverend W. Awdry and its television adaptation Thomas & Friends. He is one of the oldest engines on the Island of Sodor. Rheneas lives and works on the Skarloey Railway as engine No.2, and is known as the "Gallant Old Engine" because he saved the railway from closure. He is Skarloey's brother.[1][2]
Railway Series History[edit]
He arrived shortly after his brother Skarloey, and was the more sensible of the two engines. He was a hard worker right from the start, and when Skarloey became too ill to work, he took charge of the line on his own. It was at this time that he saved the railway when he took a train full of passengers home despite having a jammed valve gear and was rewarded with an overhaul. When Sir Handel and Peter Sam arrived in 1952, the Thin Controller was able to send him away for repairs. He returned in 1961 better than ever, and these days he mainly pulls passenger trains. In 1965, he celebrated his hundredth birthday with Skarloey.
Rheneas in the TV Series[edit]
Rheneas was introduced in Series 4 of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. He is a minor character, and he only spoke in one episode of the fourth Series. He played only one role in Series 5 and major roles in Series 6, and had two major roles in Series 7.
When Rheneas returned to the series in the Series 9 in 2005 after an absence in Series 8, he was depicted with a more childlike attitude. His first major role of the New Series, Rheneas & The Dinosaur featured him and Skarloey having a dispute when Rheneas gets to pull a dinosaur skeleton, but can't manage on his own. Skarloey and Rheneas have never been referred to as brothers in the TV Adaptation, being called "friends" in the more recent episodes.
After the events of Blue Mountain Mystery, he was temporarily painted yellow as a surprise for Thomas who had been looking for a "yellow engine". In subsequent appearances, he returned to his vermillion color.
In the latest Series 17 episodes "Luke's New Friend" and "The Switch", he has shown a dislike to deer, due to "the Quarry is not a place for animals" and he sub estimated Millie's Capability, due to him thinking she is used to do small jobs, but he was then proved wrong by the latter.
In the Japanese Version of Series' 4-7, Rheneas was voiced by Ryōtarō Okiayu. His new voice actor in Series 9 is Daiki Nakamura.
Rheneas appeared in the Specials The Great Discovery, Blue Mountain Mystery, King of the Railway, The Great Race, and Journey Beyond Sodor.
Voice actors[edit]
From Spring 2012 to 2015, Rheneas was voiced by Ben Small (UK/US) (who also voiced Thomas and Toby) in the CGI Version of the series on both sides of the Atlantic, respectively. From 2016 onwards he is voiced by John Hasler (who also voices Thomas in the UK).
Merchandising[edit]
| Model range | Type | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Ertl | die-cast metal | Normal and Metallic |
| Take Along/Take n Play | die-cast metal | Normal |
| Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway | wood | Normal |
| TrackMaster | plastic motorized | Normal & "Greatest Moments" |
| Bachmann | HOe scale plastic model | Normal |
Prototype[edit]
Rheneas is based on the 1866-built locomotive Dolgoch who works at the Talyllyn Railway in Wales, and is Rheneas' twin.
References[edit]
This article "Rheneas" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Rheneas. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
